I get the sense that there is some sort of controversy about Roy Halladay not being the Opening Day starter for the Phillies. Not that anyone is arguing he should, really, but that there is some sort of kabuki theater dance going on in which the Phillies are trying to finesse the idea that he’s not as though people will argue it later. Saying things like “you gotta split up the lefties in the rotation” when that’s actually a pretty silly justification.

Whatever is going on there — be it actual concern or concern about potential concern — Roy Halladay himself has no concern about it at all. From Jim Salisbury, here’s Halladay talking about Cole Hamels as the Opening Day starter:

“He deserves that and I think that’s the way it should be. It’s his time. It should have been his spot a long time ago. It’s time for him to establish himself as the head of the staff.”

What, you were expecting him to be a diva or something? He’s Roy freakin’ Halladay. He’s probably the closest thing baseball has to Dr. Manhattan from “Watchmen.” The petty concerns of mortals — or in this case, sports gabbers — really don’t concern him. He’ll be on Mars building new civilizations if you need him.

Harvey, 29, spent 2018 with the Mets and Reds, posting an aggregate 4.94 ERA with a 131/37 K/BB ratio in 155 innings. He started off poorly with the Mets, so they traded him to the Reds in early May. He pitched much better in Cincinnati.

Harvey should have a spot secured at the back of the Angels’ rotation, but health and performance can always change that leading up to Opening Day.